Locally produced morning news expands in Baltimore

Locally produced morning news expands in Baltimore

Kim Hairston, Baltimore Sun

TV news has mostly been defined by downward trends the past decade. Shrinking audience. Aging audience. Fragmented audience. But there's been one very bright spot amid the economic and ratings gloom for stations in Baltimore and across the country -- the morning news. Mirroring the success of network shows like "The Today Show," and "Good Morning America," local morning news programs are steadily expanding airtime, staff and revenue. Responding to changes in technology and lifestyle, WBFF (Channel 45) expanded to 10 a.m., while WMAR (Channel 2) moved in the other direction starting its morning news program at 4:30 a.m. in 2011. The race could get even more intense in 2012 when CBS unveils a new morning show Jan. 9 with Gayle King and Charlie Rose featured. That could be a big boost for CBS-owned WJZ.

TV news has mostly been defined by downward trends the past decade. Shrinking audience. Aging audience. Fragmented audience. But there's been one very bright spot amid the economic and ratings gloom for stations in Baltimore and across the country -- the morning news. Mirroring the success of network shows like "The Today Show," and "Good Morning America," local morning news programs are steadily expanding airtime, staff and revenue. Responding to changes in technology and lifestyle, WBFF (Channel 45) expanded to 10 a.m., while WMAR (Channel 2) moved in the other direction starting its morning news program at 4:30 a.m. in 2011. The race could get even more intense in 2012 when CBS unveils a new morning show Jan. 9 with Gayle King and Charlie Rose featured. That could be a big boost for CBS-owned WJZ. (Kim Hairston, Baltimore Sun)

TV news has mostly been defined by downward trends the past decade. Shrinking audience. Aging audience. Fragmented audience. But there's been one very bright spot amid the economic and ratings gloom for stations in Baltimore and across the country -- the morning news. Mirroring the success of network shows like "The Today Show," and "Good Morning America," local morning news programs are steadily expanding airtime, staff and revenue. Responding to changes in technology and lifestyle, WBFF (Channel 45) expanded to 10 a.m., while WMAR (Channel 2) moved in the other direction starting its morning news program at 4:30 a.m. in 2011. The race could get even more intense in 2012 when CBS unveils a new morning show Jan. 9 with Gayle King and Charlie Rose featured. That could be a big boost for CBS-owned WJZ.